Mpofu faces new quiz over inconsistencies

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By Staff Reporter

A ZIMBABWEAN parliamentary committee Tuesday resolved to recall Industry and International Trade Minister Obert Mpofu after discovering that there were “inconsistencies” in his evidence on corruption at state-owned steel manufacturer, Ziscosteel.

Mpofu initially told a committee of MPs in parliament that a report compiled by the National Economic Conduct Inspectorate "contains names of my colleagues in the ministry, MPs and employees at Zisco."

Called a second time before the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade last Wednesday, Mpofu backtracked on his earlier claims, now suggesting that companies connected to the said ministers and MPs were the ones behind the stripping of Ziscosteel's assets.

Briefing journalists shortly after the meeting Tuesday, committee chairman and Chipinge South MP Enoch Porusingazi said: “We have studied evidence given by the minister on two previous occasions and we have seen that there are inconsistencies.

"We will be recalling him next week for the third time where he would be asked to choose the one (position) which he wants to adopt."

Porusingazi declined further comment.

Committee members who spoke to New Zimbabwe.com said Mpofu would also be tackled on his claims that he had reached an agreement with Anti-Corruption Minister Paul Mangwana to stall all prosecutions until Ziscosteel finds a buyer.

The MPs say when they consulted Mangwana, he said he never agreed that with Mpofu.

Mpofu and Mangwana have been under pressure after Zanu PF's warring factions closed ranks to thwart publication of a report implicating senior ministers in the looting of Ziscosteel assets.

The National Economic Conduct Inspectorate, run by an elite team of Central Intelligence Organisation officers, has been recalling the report from a selected few officials who had copies to prevent a leak, sources said.

And State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa, to whom the National Economic Conduct Inspectorate reports, twisted the knife on Mpofu when he said: "If Mpofu knows some corrupt ministers as he claims, why doesn't he come out and say ministers X or Y looted Zisco?

"I am the minister of State Security and what I am saying is that I haven't seen the report."

Asked if that meant that Mpofu had misled parliament about the existence of the report, Mutasa replied: "Yes, I am saying it doesn't exist."

Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono said in July the central bank had saved Ziscosteel from closure by providing an emergency $2 trillion (old currency) lifeline.

He said production at the company had plunged by 88% from 14 200 to 1 600 metric tonnes in February. The firm is saddled with foreign debts in excess of US$126 million. Ziscosteel is one in a chain of major parastatals which are technically insolvent.

Indian company Global Steel Holdings recently withdrew from a US$400 million contract at Ziscosteel after it was angered by operational chaos at the local firm and shortages of critical inputs such as coking coal, spare parts, fuel, as well as plant and equipment.
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